BEAUTY students from South Essex College took in the natural beauty of Iceland to learn about the spa industry.

The Level 3 beauty therapy students from the college’s Southend and Thurrock campuses spent three days in the island nation’s capital, Reykjavik, visiting the Blue Lagoon to learn about different spa environments and to hear about the natural treatments offered.

The class got the chance to go on a backstage tour of the lagoon, which included a talk on the science behind the natural healing effects of the water at the site.

Rebecca Maitland, 18, from Hockley said: "I learnt about different massage techniques at the Blue Lagoon. The clients were in suits floating in the water and the masseuse used the water to manipulate relaxation."

The group were also treated to a tour of Reykjavik where they visited the Hallgrimskirkja, the largest church in Iceland, plus landmark building the Perlin and the historical Hofdi House.

Students took part in the Golden Circle tour and saw the only active Geysir in Iceland, as well as visiting the site where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

More information on the course is available at southessex.ac.uk